Modular sheet distributor



Aug. 12 1969 I K. E. BAHR T MODULAR SHEET DISTfiIBUTOR 9 Sheets-Sheet lFiled Au Aug. 12, 1969 K. E. BAHR ETAL MODULAR SHEET DISTRIBUTOR 9Sheets Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 26, 1966 Aug. 12, 1969 K. E. BAHR ET AL3,460,824

MODULAR SHEET DISTRIBUTOR Filed Aug. 26. 19% 9 Sheets-$heet 5 INVE/VT RSwan- HARLES R. 'YOUN C yAUGU-STUS W. ISWOLD KTTORN 5' Aug. 12, 1969 BAHRETAL MQDULAR SHEET DISTRIBUTOR Filed Aug. 26, 1966 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug.12, 1969 K. E. BAHR E AL MODULAR SHEET DISTRIBUTOR 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug.12, 1969 K. E. BAHR ET AL 3,460,824

MODULAR swam DISTRIBUTOR Filed Aug. 26, 1966 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Aug. 12,1969 BAHR L MODULAR SHEET DISTRIBUTOR 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Aug. 26.1966 Aug. 12,1969 K. E. BAHR m .4

MODULAR SHEET DISTRIBUTOR Filed Aug. 26. 1966 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 I I35 I?I Z f D l FIG. 9 a

Arronuers,

United States Patent 3,460,824 MODULAR SHEET DISTRIBUTOR Karl E. Bahr,Pittsford, Augustus W. Griswold, Rochester, Aldon A. Price, Fairport,and Charles R. Young, Rochester, N.Y.; said Karl E. Bahr, said AugustusW. Griswold, and said Aldon A. Price, assignors to Xerox Corporation,Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 26, 1966, Ser. No.575,476 Int. Cl. B6511 37/00, 29/58 US. Cl. 270-58 7 Claims ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to sheet distributing and, inparticular to apparatus adapted to distribute sheet material seriatimfed into the apparatus from various types of reproducing or printingmachines.

More specifically, this invention relates to a modular sheet distributoradapted to vary the capacity of a unitary distributing machine byreadily increasing or decreasing the number of modular units of a givenmachine to meet a particular customer requirement or to provide forvarying work loads.

In prior art devices of this type the capacity of the sheet distributoror sorter has been limited to a fixed numher with no provision forincreasing or decreasing the capacity of the apparatus to accommodatechanging work loads. The invention of this application provides amodular sorter or sheet distributor unit capable of being readilycombined with other modular units forming a unitary sorting or sheetdistributing apparatus of any desired size of capacity in multiples ofthe modular unit. In accordance with the present invention substantialflexibility in a sorting or sheet distributing machine is providedwhereby the capacity of the machine may be readily increased ordecreased in accordance with varying work loads or customer requirementswithout the necessity of utilizing a series of separate individualmachines each having separate feeding tables, diverting mechanisms andtransport systems associated therewith.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to improve sheetdistributing mechanisms.

It is another object of this invention to improve sheet distributingapparatus by readily adjusting the size and capacity of the apparatus.

It is a further object of this invention to improve sheet distributingmachines by coordinating identical modular units of a given capacityinto an integral machine by adapting the modular units to bemechanically and electrically coordinated for the timed operation of theassembled units as a unitary machine.

These and other objects are attained in accordance with the presentinvention wherein there is provided a modular sheet distributingapparatus adapted to be assembled with a plurality of similar modularunits one with another in connection with a transition unit fordirecting the output of a reproducing or printing machine into theunits.

3,460,824 Patented Aug. 12, 1969 ICC Further objects of this invention,together with additional features contributing thereto and advantagesaccruing therefrom, will be apparent from the following description ofan embodiment of the invention when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a series of units assembled toform a unitary sheet distributing machine, with one unit out ofoperative position;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a single modular unit toillustrate the features thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation section of the invention of this applicationto better illustrate the drive and diverting mechanisms;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section of the diverting mechanism, catch tray,and transition unit;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a portion of the transport systemto illustrate the features thereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the mechanisms for activating thediverting gates;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective View of a single diverting gateactuator;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a timing mechanism with parts separated tobetter illustrate the electrical mechanism;

FIG. 9a and b are an electrical schematic of the subject invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of the modularsheet distributor which includes a plurality of catch trays for holdingsheet material which has been delievered to the catch trays. The modularsheet distributors are shown in cooperation with a sheet distributor 200with one module in cooperative relation to form a unitary sheetdistributing machine and another module extended from cooperativerelation to better show the path of paper movement into the copy catchtrays 110 or into another modular unit 100, although it is to beunderstood that the units are placed adjacent one another to form aunitary sheet distributing machine or the end plate 400 is positionedadjacent the modular unit to complete a sheet transport for distributingthe sheets to the terminal modular unit.

As shown in the drawings the modular sheet distributor 100 includes aplurality of catch trays 110 secured in spaced relation to each otherbetween front and rear frame plates 102 and 103, respectively, by meansof tabs 112 at the lower end of catch plate 111 passing through slotsprovided in right-hand frame plate 106, with the upper end of the catchtray supported from left-hand frame plate 107. The upper end of catchplate 111 is supported by a lateral portion of support plate 113 securedby its upturned portion to the left-hand frame plate with the lateralportion passing through slots in the frame plate into engagement withthe catch plate 111.

In order to insure proper alignment of sheet material passing into thecatch trays, a deflector plate 114 is suitably secured to the bottom ofthe lateral portion of support plate 113 to deflect the sheet materialdownward into the rear of the catch trays. Each catch plate 111 isprovided with a plurality of fingers 11.5 secured to and extending outfrom the bottom of the catch plate to insure that sheet material passinginto an adjacent catch tray will not adhere to the bottom of the upperadjoining catch plate 111 due to the static electrical charges on thesheet material. Each catch plate 111 is biased against the lateralportion of its adjacent support plate 113 by means of spring tabs 116secured to the guide fingers and engaging the bottom of the lateralportion of the support plate as seen in FIG. 4.

As shown in the drawings, especially FIG. 3, sheet material isdistributed to the catch trays by means of a plurality of drive feedrolls 121 secured in spaced relation between front and rear frame plates102 and 103, respectively, and secured thereto by means of adjustableU-shaped brackets securing the roller shaft 123 in slots provided in thefront and rear frame plates. Each drive roller is journalled forrotation upon the stationary shafts 123 and provided with an undercutsurface portion in cooperative relationship with gates 131 of thediverting mechanisms 130 which divert sheet material into the propercatch tray in a predetermined sequential order.

The sheet material is forwarded to the copy catch trays by means of thedrive feed rollers 121 driven through a flexible drive belt 114].contacting each of the drive rollers and passing over a series of idlerrollers 142 whereby each drive feed roller is positively driven at thesame linear velocity by means of the drive belt. With the novelconfiguration of the drive belt, as shown in FIG. 3, the belt may bereplaced if necessary by the removal of only one shaft 146 withoutnecessitating the removal of the drive feed rollers 121.

The endless belt 141 is driven through a friction wheel 144 secured to atiming sprocket 145 rotatably mounted on a shaft 146 secured betweenfront and rear frame plates 102 and 103 respectively, the timingsprocket being driven by an electric motor B-2.

The diverting mechanism 130 which include a series of gates 131 securedto a gate shaft 132 are journaled for rotational movement in front andrear frame plates 102 and 103, respectively. The gates are formed with aconcave portion 133 and a flat portion 134 and positioned on the gateshaft 132 within the undercut portion of the drive rollers adjacent tothe path of paper movement when the gates are out of deflectingposition. When the diverting mechanisms are actuated as hereinafterdescribed, the shaft 132 is rotated to raise the flat portion out of theundercut of the drive feed rollers to bring the concave portion 133 ofthe gates into interference with the path of paper movement, therebydiverting the sheet material into a predetermined catch tray.

As the sheet material is forwarded by means of the drive feed rollerscooperating with idler rollers to be hereinafter described, thediverting mechanisms 130 are sequentially actuated to divert the sheetmaterial into the appropriate catch trays by means of a cam bank 150each cam 151 controlling the rotational movement of a single divertingmechanism to move the flat portion of the gate, adjacent the path ofpaper movement, out from the recessed portion of the stepped drive rollsand into interference with the path of paper movement. The cam supportshaft 153, as shown in FIG. 6, is supported at its uppermost end in abracket 154 secured to the rear frame plate 103 and having a bearingportion mounted therein for rotational movement of the cam support shaftdriven by means of a stepping motor B-3 secured to the rear frame plateby means of a bracket 149 and connected to the cam support shaft. Thecams 151, each having a rise portion 152 are positioned on the camsupport shaft whereby rotation of the cam shaft will cause the riseportions to pass a given point in a predetermined sequence. Thissequential stepping of the rise portion of the cam will sequentiallyactuate the diverting mechanisms by means of the rise portions 152 ofthe cams oscillating a trip lever 155 having a bifurcated end portionengaging the cam surface as seen in FIG. 6. Each diverting mechanism 130has a trip lever secured to the end of the gate shaft to be sequentiallyactuated whereby the gates will be moved into interference relation witha sheet passing between the drive feed rolls 121 and idler rolls 161 tothereby deflect the sheet into the appropriate catch tray.

As seen in FIG. 6, the cam support shaft 153 has secured to its lowerend a control sprocket 156 having an upper and lower portion to controlthe actuation of limit switches LS11 and LS12, respectively. The limitswitches are mounted in cooperative relationship with the controlsprocket 156 by means of a bracket 157 secured to the rear frame plateand perform a function to be hereinafter described in detail.

To complete a paper transport for delivering sheet material to theappropriate catch tray when one modular unit is placed in cooperativerelation with another modular sheet distributor or a sheet distributorsuch as disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 574,990 filed Aug.25, 1966 in the name of I. E. Britt et al., there is provided aplurality of idler rollers 161 supported by right-hand frame plate 106.The idler rollers 161 are individually rotatably mounted on a bifurcatedbracket 162 supported on tie rods 163, secured to an idler transportframe 165, and biased in a counter clockwise direction, as seen in FIG.3, to be held in slight pressure contact with the drive feed rollers 121of another modular distributor placed in cooperative relation to form aunitary sheet distributing machine. The positioning of the idlertransport and, therefore, the idler rollers 161 is determined bybrackets 166 secured to the transport and righthand frame plate 106.

An end plate 400 is provided to complete a sheet transport adjacent theterminal sheet distributor section. An idler transport such as idlertransport 160 is supported on end plate 400 and positioned incooperative relation with the drive feed rollers 121 and divertingmechanisms 130 of the terminal section in a manner as previouslydescribed in regard to idler transport 160. Suitable mechanicalconnectors such as bayonets are secured to end plate 400 to mechanicallyinterlock with suitable receptacles of the type shown in FIG. 2, forsecuring the end plate to the terminal section to complete a unitarydistributing machine.

A plurality of parallel guide rails \164 are secured to and positionedon the transport frame 165 such that when the sheet distributor moduleis placed in cooperative relation with another sheet distributor module,the path of sheet travel formed thereby will be adjacent the guide rails164 between the idler rollers 161 and the drive feed rolls 121. With apair of sheet distributor modules in such a cooperative relation, when adiverting mechanism 130 is actuated by a cam 151 the flat portion 134 ofthe gate, normally parallel to the path of paper travel, is rotated intointerference with the path of paper travel and into the guide rails 164of the idler transport thereby moving the concave portion 133 of thegate into interference with the path of paper travel to deflect thesheet material into the appropriate catch tray.

As seen in the drawings, sheet material passes across the top of thesorter module by means of a horizontal transport and down adjacentleft-hand frame plate 107 into the appropriate catch tray. To facilitatethe removal of occasional sheet material jams, the horizontal transport170 is supported at one side by a pivot rod 171 mounted on the rearframe plate 103 by means of brackets 172 appropriately secured thereto,to enable the transport to be pivoted out of cooperative relation withthe drive feed rolls 121 as best shown in FIG. 2, thereby enabling sheetmaterial jarns to be cleared from this section of the sheet distributormodule with extreme ease. The horizontal idler transport is formed witha base plate 173 having parallel guide rails 164 secured thereto andpositioned in cooperative relation with gates of a diverting mechanism130 to perform the same function as heretofore described. A plurality oftie rods are secured in upturned portions of the transport frame andsupport a plurality of idler rolls 161. The bifurcated portion of theidler roll brackets 162 engage a tie rod 163 and are biased in aclockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 5, through openings in thetransport frame into engagement with the drive feed rollers 121, bymeans of a leaf spring 174 secured to the lower portion of thebifurcated brackets by means of an upturned lip with the other end ofthe leaf spring secured in a suitable slot provided in spring retainingbrackets 175.

To enable the modular sheet distributors to be assembled into a unitarysheet distributing machine suit able mechanical connecting devices suchas bayonets 137 and receptacles 139, and hook 138 are secured to themodules to correctly align the modules and retain them in cooperatingrelation. A diverting mechanism 130 is similar in construction to thediverting mechanism 130, is positioned adjacent the left end of thehorizontal transport 170 to control delivery of sheet material to thecatch trays of the sorter module in which the diverting mechanism iscontained or to pass the sheet material to an adjoining module fordistribution therein.

In order to divert the sheet material passing through the horizontaltransport into the vertical transport formed by the cooperating modularunits for delivery into the appropriate copy catch tray, the gates ofthe diverting mechanisms are rotated whereby the concave surface will bein interference with the path of paper movement. If it is desired todistribute the sheet material to an adjoining module, the cam supportshaft 153 is rotated to a position whereby the bifurcated portion of thetrip lever 155 is engaged by the drop portion 152 of the cam 151 wherebythe gate for the diverting mechanism 130 will be positioned out ofinterference relationship with the path of the paper movement throughthe horizontal transport with the flat portion of the gate positioned,in the stepped portion of the drive feed rollers, adjacent to the pathof paper travel thereby allowing the sheet material to pass to the nextsheet distributing module.

To facilitate movement of one sorter module into cooperativerelationship with another sorter module and to facilitate the removal ofsheet material jams occasionally occurring in the vertical transportformed by the cooperating modules, there is provided a dolly 180 securedto the front and rear frame plates 102 and 103 and right-hand frameplate 106 as by welding and to the left-hand frame plate 107 by means ofa bracket thereby allowing the sheet distributor module to be readilymovable. The dolly 180 is provided with three shafts 181 passing throughupturned portions of the frame plate 182 and having roller wheels 183journaled for rotation upon the ends of each of the three shafts. Atrackway 190 having vertically adjustable leveling feet is provided toengage the rollers 183 of the dolly whereby the sheet distributor modulemay be moved into cooperative relation with another module to form aunitary sheet distributing machine or out of cooperative relationshipfor removal of sheet material jams occurring in the vertical transportformed by the cooperating modules. As can be seen from the drawings, themodularity of the units permits a module, and, consequently,supplemental sheet guiding means in the form of idler rolls 161 to bemoved into cooperation with sheet transport rollers 121 on the firstside of a basic module to form a sheet feed path therebetween. In likemanner, the movement of another module into cooperation with the basicmodule may cause supplemental sheet transport means in the nature ofrollers 121 to be brought into cooperation with sheet guiding idlerrolls 161 on the opposite side of the basic module to form another sheetfeed path therebetween.

Machine operations To begin the sorting operation, the sheet distributorprogrammer M-Z is set to collect the desired number of sheets in as manycatch trays of the distributor as desired. For example, assume thattwenty booklets are to be made, each booklet containing 100 pages. Thesheet distributor is placed in cooperative relationship with a printingor reproducing machine, especially one of the type disclosed incopending application Ser. No. 400,363 filed Sept. 30, 1964, in thenames of R. F. Osborne et a1. whereby the machine output is fed into thepinch of the sheet distributor drive rollers. An operator places anoriginal document to be reproduced on the platen 22, closes the cover21, programs the reproducing machine for the desired 20 copies of theoriginal document through the machine programmer, depresses the sortbutton 8-1 on the distributor programmer M-2 and dials the appropriatenumber of documents to be sorted in the sheet distributor on thedistributor programmer M-2. The machine is now in readiness forcompletely automatic reproduction and sorting of the 20 copies of theoriginal document. The operator then begins machine operation bydepressing the start button of the reproducing machine which appliespower throughout the machine and to line 47 of the sheet distributor.Although for convenience of illustration, the distributor is describedin operation with the xerographic reproducing machine of theaforementioned copending application, it is not intended to be limitedthereto but may be utilized with any source of seriatim fed sheetmaterial, and connected to any source of volts 60 cycle A.C. type ofpower to provide a command signal to start the distributor.

The power to line 47 energizes relay K1 through normally closed relaycontacts K-19(1A). Energization of K1 relay closes K-1( 1) contact toapply power through all the interlocks, which must be closed for machineoperation, to lines 6 and 14 thereby energizing power relays K-2 andK-20 of the distributor. Power to line 6 is provided through normallyclosed contacts K-8(3) and K-19(2) which are two jam detection contactsfor two different modes of sheet material jams which may occur in thedistributor.

With the power so provided memory wheel drive motor B-l is energized tocontinuously rotate the memory Wheel 300 which performs a function to behereinafter described in detail.

Sequential stepping of the diverting mechanisms is controlled by meansof a photosensor CR1 secured to a tie plate between front and rear frameplates 102 and 103 respectively, and a light source DS2 appropriatelysecured to left-hand frame plate 107 and directing a light beam throughopenings in the catch trays 110 into the photosensor whereby passage ofsheet material into the copy catch trays 110 will interrupt the lightbeam and effect a sequential stepping of the diverting mechanism todirect the next sheet material into the adjacent catch tray. Since thelight source DS-2 requires a finite time to attain brightness and theindexing of the diverting mechanisms is actuated by the trailing edge ofthe sheet material as it passes into the copy catch trays, to ensureproper delivery of the sheet material into a copy catch tray, a timedelay is provided to prevent false indexing. When the sheet material isdelivered into a catch tray the sensor again sees light and indexes:motor B-3 one step to move the next diverting mechanism intointerference relationship with the paper path. Thus if you applied powerimmediately through line 6 to relay K-15 it would appear to the systemthat the photosensor is being remade, as if sheet material has passedinto a copy catch tray, and indexing would occur resulting in thediverting mechanisms being stepped. Therefore, to prevent this immediateenergization of relay K-15, a time delay is provided through resistorR-5 and capacitor C-5 to prevent the immediate energization of line 62which applies power to relay K-10 in the catch tray portion of thedistributor and controls indexing of the diverting mechanisms.

To prevent relay K-10 from energizing when the light is on, a normallyclosed contact of relay K-12 is provided in series with relay K-10. Whenthe light DS-Z has reached the proper intensity relay K-12 is energizedclosing normally opened contacts K12(2) and opening normally closedcontacts K-12( 1), thereby placing the index motor B-3 and the paper jamtiming control relay K-11 in a stand-by condition.

As previously explained, the power is provided to line 14 and thephotosensor lamp transformer T-1 is energized immediately putting powerto the lamp DS-2 which directs the light beam through openings in thecopy catch trays into the photosensor which controls sequential indexingof the diverting mechanisms Upon the light beam reaching sufficientintensity relay K-12 is energized opening normally closed contactsK-12(3) to prevent the energization of relay K which could cause a falseindexing of the diverting mechanisms. At this point in time the sheetdistributor is ready to accept the first sheet material for distributiontherein.

As the sheet material is fed into the distributor the sheet contacts theactuator arm of count switch LS7 positioned at the initial entry pointto the distributor 200. The closing of count switch LS7 energizes relayK-16 which performs several functions. The energization of relay K-16causes the normally open contacts K16(1) to close energizing the jamcontrol relay K-17 which is held energized through normally closedcontact M2(2) and the normally open contact K 17(1) which is closed byenergization of relay K17, and normally closed contact of limit switchLS8 located in the middle of the horizontal transport 170 of the sheetdistributor. Upon actuation of relay K17, normally open contacts K17(2)close supplying power through normally closed contacts K9(1) to the jamdetection controller timer M6, and normally closed contacts K-17 (3) areopened to form a discharge path for resetting the timer M6.

Movement of the paper into the sheet distributor causes the actuation oflimit switch LS7 energizing the timer M-6. As the paper proceeds alongits path of movement limit switch LS8 is actuated opening the normallyclosed contact LS-SB thereby de-energizing relay K-l7 by opening theholding circuit thereto. The de-energization of relay K-17 removes powerfrom the timer M6 and allows contacts K-17(3) to close which dischargesthe capacitor of the timer mechanism M6 to indicate that the sheetmaterial has proceeded through the transition portion of the sheetdistributor and has proceeded to the copy catch tray portion. If thesheet material were to get jammed somewhere between limit switch LS7 andlimit switch LS8, the normally closed contacts LS8B would not be openedand the jam detection controller timer M6 would remain energized throughthe energized relay K-17 and would cause a shutdown of the sheetdistributor.

In the event that a paper jam occurs in a modulator unit at the timeother sheet material is passing through the transition portion and thereproducing or printing mechanism used in cooperation with the sheetdistributor is still processing sheet material for distribution in thesheet distributor, a time delay is provided to allow the sheet materialto clear count switch LS7. To prevent sheet material from stopping atthe interface between the sheet distributor and the reproducing machinewhen relay K-16 is energized, normally closed contact K16(3), in serieswith K-9 relay, opens to prevent power from flowing in line 29 toenergize relay K-9. This provides a time delay suflicient for the sheetmaterial to move on into the distributor thereby allowing limit switchLS-7 to again open de-energizing relay K-16 so that the contacts K16(3)will close supplying power to relays K-8 and K-9 to shut down the sheetdistributor.

In addition, when a sheet closes limit switch LS7 thereby energizingrelay K-16, normally open contacts K16(2) are closed to actuate thedistributor count-down programmer M2. The programmer M2 for the sheetdistributor counts the number of sheets passed into the distributor toachieve coincidence of the number of copies programmed into theprogrammer between terminals 36 and 75. When the number of countsreceived by the programmer is coincident with the number of sheetsdesired to be sorted, as indicated on the programmer M2, a relay insidethe programmer energizes, opening normally closed contact M2(1) tode-actuate an overflow solenoid L1 which allows the diverting mechanism230 to direct further copies emerging from the reproducing machine intothe overflow or catch bin 210. The overflow solenoid remainsde-energized through open contacts M2(1) thereby holding the divertingmechanism 230 -in interference with the path of paper movement directingthe sheet material into the catch bin 210 until such time as coincidenceis reached in the reproducing machine programmer indicating that therequired number of copies have been reproduced. When coincidence isreached the sorter reset mechanism, hereinafter described in detail, isactivated which, after a time delay sufiicient to let the last copyproduced clear limit switch LS7 at the interface, reset programmer M-Zto thereby again close contacts M2(1) energizing the solenoid L1 andallowing the diverting mechanism 230 to be moved back out ofinterference with the paper path, and normally closed contacts M2(2) toagain close re-instating the power path to jam control relay K17. M2(2)contacts are included in the power path to relay K-17 to prevent a falseindication of a paper jam which would occur while sheet material isbeing diverted into the copy catch bin 210. Because the copy contactsthe actuator of normally open limit switch LS7 before entering the copycatch bin, relay K-17 would be energized, which would energize jamdetection controller M6. M-6 would then terminate operation of the sheetdistributor since sheet material is being diverted into the catch binand will not contact limit switch LS8 to de-energize the jam controllerM6. Therefore, without contacts M2(2) opening the power path to relayK-17 the sheet distributor would be shut down as a false sheet materialjam would be indicated.

When sheet material is being passed to the catch tray portion of thesheet distributor, it contacts limit switch LS-8 closing normally opencontacts LS8A which energizes jam timing control relay K-ll which isheld energized through its own contact 14-11(1) and either of thenormally closed contacts K12(1) or K10(1) which will be furtherdescribed with reference to indexing of the diverting mechanisms 130.When the sheet material is passed from the sheet distributor 200 to asheet distributor module after contacting limit switch LS8 on the catchtray portion of the sheet distributor, it must proceed further andcontact limit switch LS8 on the sheet distributor module in order todrop out jam control relay K-11 and reset the jam detection. When jamcon trol relay K-ll is energized by contact of the sheet material withlimit switch LS8 on the catch tray portion of the sheet distributor, therelay closes normally open contacts K-11(2) which supply power to thejam detection controller timer MS. If the sheet material is jammedwithout contacting limit switch LS8 on an adjoining module, K-ll willremain energized and through the closed contact K-ll (2) the jamdetection controller timer M-5 will proceed through its timing cycle andterminate machine operation. However, if the sheet material proceeds tothe adjoining sheet distributor module and contacts limit switch LS8 onthat module the relay K11 will be de-energized opening the relaycontacts K11(2) and de-energizing the jam detection controller timer M5through the normally closed contacts K11(3).

In the event the sheet material is to be distributed within the sheetdistributor 200 without passing to a sheet distributor module 100 and,thereby, contacting the limit switch LS8 on that module, the sheetmaterial must interrupt the light beam projecting into the photosensorto prevent the jam detection controller timer MS from again terminatingoperation. As the sheet material is passed to the sheet distributor fordistribution therein, it contacts limit switch LS8 which energizes thejam timing control relay K-ll thereby providing power to jam detectioncontroller timer M-5. When the light beam to the photosensor DS-Z isinterrupted, upon its reactuation, which indicates that the sheetmaterial has completely passed into a catch tray 110, normally closedcontacts K-10( 1) and K12(1) will be opened dropping out relay K11 whichopens normally closed contacts K11(2) removing power from M5 and closingK11(3) contact which discharges the capacitor in the timer M5 thusmaking it ready to time the next sheet of paper entering the module.

The sequential stepping of the diverting mechanisms 130 and 130 iscontrolled by limit switches LS11 and LS12 actuated by the sprocket 156secured to the lower portion of the cam support shaft 153. The portionof the control sprocket contacting limit switch LS-ll has one detent inits circumferential surface to indicate the reset position, No. 1. Whenthe actuator of the limit switch LSll is extended into the detent, thelimit switch is open and therefore, at all other times during thestepping of the control sprocket 156 the contacts of limit switch LS-llare closed. The portion of the control sprocket 156 which is contactedby the actuator of limit switch LS12 has a detent in its circumferentialsurface every 30 of the sprockets rotation representing each bin and aposition whereby the diverting mechanism 130 is positioned out ofinterference relationship with the path of paper movement to pass sheetmaterial to an adjoining sheet distributor module.

In the No. 1 position for the beginning of a sorting program, theactuator of limit switch LS11 is positioned in the detent of itsappropriate portion of the control sprocket 156 and the actuator oflimit switch LS12 is positioned in an adjoining detent. At the start ofthe distributing program, due to the positioning of the cams 151 and 151on the support shaft 153, the diverting mechanism 131' and the firstdiverting mechanism 130 are held in interference relationship with thepath of paper movement whereby the first sheet entering the sheetdistributor will be diverted by the diverting mechanism 131 into thevertical transport to be delivered to the first copy catch tray by thediverting mechanism 130 associated with the first tray. The cam 151'which actuates the diverting mechanism 131 is of the type shown in FIG.7 but positioned in a reverse manner on the shaft 153 where'- by thediverting mechanism 131' is held by the dwell portion in interferencerelationship with the path of paper movement at all times except at suchtime when the shaft is rotated sufiiciently for the bifurcated lever arm155' to fall into the drop portion 152'. This move ment of the divertingmechanism 131' out of the path of paper movement occurs at the point intime when all of the diverting mechanisms 130 have been sequentiallyactuated to deliver a sheet material into an appropriate catch tray.This movement is controlled by positioning the cams on the cam shaft 153in a sequential order whereby each cam will pass a predetermined pointat a predetermined time as previously discussed.

To index the diverting mechanism to sequentially divert the sheetmaterial into the appropriate catch tray, a pulse is provided to theindex motor B3 through contacts KID-2 and K12-2 causing the motor tomove the control sprocket sufficiently to close limit switch LS12causing relay K-21 to energize providing a power path through limitswitch LS12, LS-ll, and closed relay contacts K-21( 1) directly to theindex motor B-3 which rotates the cam support shaft 153 until theactuator of limit switch LS12 falls into the next detent of the controlsprocket and is opened disconnecting power from the index motor.Therefore whenever the trail edge of the sheet material goes through thelight beam projecting to the photocell CR-l normally open contactsK-12(2) and K-10(2) are closed supplying power to the index motor. Thepower to the motor is then terminated upon the actuator of limit switchLS12 falling into the next detent of the control sprocket. Normallyclosed contacts K 12(1) and K10(1) are opened to de-energize the jamtiming control relay K-ll to prevent energization of the jam detectioncontroller timer M which would effect machine shut down as previouslydescribed. When sheet material breaks the light beam projecting into thephotosensor CR1, light sensor control relay K-12 immediatelyde-energizes opening the closed contacts K12(2) and closing contactK-12(3) connected in series with relay K-10 which is thereby energizedclosing relay contacts K-10(2). When the sheet material passes throughthe light beam and the light again contacts the photosensor, relay K12immediately is energized closing relay contacts K12(2) providing powerto the index motor B3 through closed relay contacts K10(2). AlthoughK-ltl relay is in series with relay contacts K12(3), the opening of therelay contacts does not cause an immediate de-energization of relay K-10due to the time delay occasioned by capacitor C-1 and resistor R-l.Therefore, the power flows through the contacts K12(2) and K10(2) toenergize the index motor B-3.

This stepping procedure continues until such time as programmer M2reaches coincidence at which time the sheet distributor and modules arereset. After the sheet material has been delivered to the last copycatch tray in the sheet distributor 200, the index motor is stepped oncemore to rotate the cam shaft 153. In this last movement, the divertingmechanism is rotated out of interference with the path of paper movementby the strip lever falling into the drop portion 152 of the cam 151.Since the index motor B-3 will not step until the light beam from DS-2into photosensor CR4 is broken and remade, the cam shaft 153 will not berotated and the diverting gate 130 will remain out of interference withthe path of paper movement allowing the sheet material to pass to thesheet distributor module 100.

When the sheet material enters the modular unit 100, the first sheetwill be passed into the first copy catch bin due to the divertingmechanism 136 and the first diverting mechanism 130 being ininterference wtih the path of paper movement at the initial or resetposition. The interrupting and remaking of the light beam DS-2 into thephotosensor CR-1 of the sheet distributor module will cause the indexmotor B-3 of the module to step under the same control as previouslydescribed with reference to the sheet distributor 200. This procedurecontinues with regard to additional modules until such time as theprogrammer M-2 reaches coincidence and the sheet distributor and modularunits are reset by the memory wheel 300.

To provide for occasional paper jams occurring in the transition portionof the sheet distributor, the previously described jam detectioncontroller timer M-6 is provided to close normally open contact M-6thereby energizing jam control relay K-19. Upon energization of jamcontrol relay K-19 normally closed contacts K19(3B) open which removespower from all drives, and contacts K19(3A) close to energize DS-3indicator lamp to indicate that a jam has occurred in the sheetdistributor. Normally closed contacts K-19(1A) open to isolate the powerlines of the reproducing machine from the sheet distributor, and relaycontacts K-19(1B) close shorting the power lines 47 and 174 togetherwhich indicate to the reproducing machine that a jam has occurred and tobegin machine shut down. In the sheet distributor, power line 6. relaysK-2, and relay K-20 remain energized and the jam indicator light DS-3remains on until the sorter interlock is broken. When an interlock isbroken the main power relays K-Z and K-20, the jam detection controllertimer M-6, relay K-19 and the light actuated photosensor CRl, aredeenergized and the jam detection mechanism is again reset. Only thesorter on-off control relay K-18 and the indicator lights of theprogrammer M-Z remain energized. Upon the clearing of the jam and therestarting of the machine the sheet distributor will again continue tofunction until coincidence is reached in the programmer M2.

In the event that a paper jam occurs in a sheet distributor module, aspreviously described, the jam detection controller timer M-5 will beenergized to energize line 29 for actuating jam control relays K-8 andK-9, and contact M-5 of the appropriate sheet distributor module whichactuates jam indicator light DS-3 to indicate a paper jam has occurred.The energization of jam control relays K-8 and K-9 causes theirappropriate contacts to be actuated thereby accomplishing the sheetdistributor shut down provided that sheet material is not holding limitswitch LS-7 in a closed position, as previously stated, in which casethe sheet distributor will function as hereintofore described. Uponenergization of jam control relays K-S and K-9, K-9(3) contacts openwhich stop the drive mechanisms and K9(2) contacts open to immediatelyremove power from the overflow solenoid L-l so that the divertingmechanism 230 will be moved into interference relationship with the pathof paper movement to divert all additional sheet material into the catchbin 210. In addition line 6 remains energized and therefore, jam controlrelay contact K-9(1) is put in series with the power line to jamdetection controller timer M6 to be opened by the actuation of jamcontrol relay K-9 for preventing the controller M-6 from indicating apaper jam has occurred in the transition portion of the sheetdistributor when in actuality it has occurred in a sheet distributormodule.

The contacts of jam control relay K8 are actuated whereby normallyclosed contact K-8(3) opens to remove power from line 14 which is thepower line for all the index mechanisms and control components. ContactsK8(1A) close shorting power line 19 and 135 to indicate to thereproducing mechanism that a jam has occurred and to retain the count ofthe number of copies reproduced. When the paper jam is cleared thereproducing machine may again continue to reproduce copies of anoriginal document until the reproducing machine programmer has reachedcoincidence indicating that the desired copies have been reproduced.Relay contact K8(1B) opens to isolate this circuit from the sheetdistributor in the same manner as relay contact K19(1A) previouslydescribed, and relay contact K-8(2A) closes to short power lines 47 and108 together which causes the reproducing machine to complete thereproducing cycle and to shut down while retaining its count of thenumber of copies reproduced. With a jam occurring, M contacts willremain closed energizing the jam indicator lamp DS3 which will remainenergized until an interlock is broken thereby preventing furtheroperation of either the reproducing machine or the sheet distributor.

In the event of a shut down of the reproducing machine, lines 108 and 19are energized which through line 15 actuate the memory wheel solenoidL-2 and energize memory wheel control relay K-14 through diode CR-4,resistor R-4 and capacitor C4 to provide a finite time delay beforeenergization of relay K-14. Therefore, after the time delay has occurredrelay K-14 will energize opening the normally closed contacts K-14 anddisconnecting the power source from the memory wheel solenoid L-2. Thismomentary de-energization of the solenoid effects the punching out ofpins 302 on the memory wheel to actuate the limit switches positionedadjacent the rotating pins of the memory wheel.

The memory wheel 300 is used for both resetting and terminatingoperation of the sheet distributor mechanism. In some situations it isdesirable to terminate operation of the sheet distributor such as in thecase of a malfunction in the reproducing machine, but not to reset themechanism for a new run. However, when the number of copies beingreproduced of the original document has been reached, it is desired toterminate operation of the sheet distributor and to reset it for thebeginning of another program. Therefore, control relay K-3 is providedto be energized when it is desired merely to terminate operation of thesheet distributor without resetting the distributor for a new program.To this end, the normally closed relay contacts K3(2) are opened tointerrupt all the reset circuits by interrupting the power to line 22from which all the reset circuits are supplied. In addition, normallyclosed contact K3(3) is opened to interrupt the reset of the programmerM-Z. Since all of the reset limit switches are supplied with powerthrough line 22 the interruption of the power to line 22 prevents theclosing of LS-l, LSZ, LS3, LS4 and LSS from effecting a reset of thedistribtor. However, it does not interrupt the power to limit switch LS6which controls the termination of the sheet distributor operation andtherefore when the pins 302 of the memory wheel 300 contact normallyclosed limit switch LS6, the switch opens and causes the sheetdistributor to terminate operation. Therefore, upon restarting thereproducing mechanism and the sheet distributor, the distributor is notreset but again continues the previous program.

When the desired number of copies of an original document have beenreproduced on the reproducing machine, line 108 is energized actuatingthe memory wheel solenoid L2 and moving the pins 302 into actuatingposition whereby they will actuate the limit switches LSl through LS6 toreset the sheet distributor and terminate operation. Therefore, the onlyway in which the sheet distributor may be reset is upon a coincidencesignal through line 108 indicating that the reproducing mechanism withwhich it is utilized has reached coincidence, that is the number ofreproductions of an original document has been reached. Actuation oflimit switch LS-l energizes reset control relay K-S to reset thedistributor. Next, limit switch LS2 is actuated to close the reset pathfor the programmer M2 resetting the programmer for the next program.Next, limit switch LS3 is actuated to reset the catch tray portion ofthe sheet distributor 200 applying power directly to the index motor B-3from line 14 which causes the diverting mechanisms to be reset.

This resetting to position No. 1 is accomplished by power being suppliedthrough limit switch LS-11 which energizes relay K-21 closing thenormally open contact K-21(1) directly applying power to the index motorB-3 until limit switch LS-ll is de-actuated by means of its actuatormoving into the detent on the sprocket 156. Limit switch LS4 energizesthe reset relay K-6 for all sheet distributor modules to reset eachmodule by applying power through LS11 in each module to drive each indexmotor B-3 until LS-ll is de-actuated.

Limit switch LSS is energized closing contact LSSA to energize sheetdistributor delay shut down control relay K-13, and LS-SB contacts opento de-energize reset control relay K-S which was previously energizedthrough limit switch LSl, thereby insuring that enough time elapsesprior to sheet distributor shut down to allow the last sheet emergingfrom the reproducing machine to arrive at its predetermined destination.The last limit switch on the memory wheel to be actuated is LS6 which isactuated after operation of the reproducing machine is terminated. Atthis time the only power path left to the sheet distributor is throughlimit switch LS6 and K-2(1) contact. Therefore, when limit switch LS6 isactuated it de-energizes relay K-2 and terminates all power to the sheetdistributor except power to relay K-18 and the programmer M-2 therebyleaving the sheet distributor in a stand-by condition for anotherprogram.

While the invention has been described with reference to the structuredisclosed herein, it is not to be confined to the details set forth inthis application, but is intended to cover such modifications or changesas may come within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A modular sheet distributor adapted for combination with other likemodular units for use in a unitary sheet distributing machine comprisinga plurality of catch trays supported in spaced relation to each other,

first transport means for transporting sheet material through the sheetdistributor,

second transport means for transporting sheet material from a locationadjacent said first transport means to a position adjacent saidplurality of catch trays, selectively actuable diverting means adjacentsaid first transport means and said second transport means for directingsheet material from said first transport means to exterior of the deviceor along said second transport means,

diverting mechanisms positioned adjacent said catch trays actuable intoand from interference relationship with sheet material passed adjacentthereto to divert said sheet material into one of said catch trays,

means to selectively actuate said diverting mechanisms into and frominterference relationship with sheet material passed adjacent thereto inresponse to a control signal actuated by sheet material passed into saidcatch tray, and

means to connect a second modular sheet distributor into operativerelationship adjacent said second transport means to thereby presentsheet guiding means which, together with said second transport means,form a path of sheet material movement from said diverting means to saidcatch trays for the delivery of sheet material thereto.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means to selectively actuatesaid diverting mechanisms comprises a plurality of cam members carriedin operative relationship with said diverting mechanisms on a rotatablesupport shaft,

said cam members each having a dwell portion and an actuating portionand positioned on said support shaft such that said actuating portionswill pass a predetermined point at a predetermined time as said supportshaft is rotated in response to said control signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said diverting mechanisms comprise aplurality of gates carried by a rotatable support shaft adjacent theentrance to said catch trays,

said gates including a fiat portion and a concave portion, and

a bifurcated lever secured to said support shaft and operativelyconnected to said selective actuating means for moving said flat portionof said gates from a position adjacent said path of sheet materialmovement into a position wherein said concave portion of said gate is ininterference relationship with said path of sheet material movement todivert sheet material into a predetermined catch tray.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means to selectively actuatesaid diverting mechanisms into and from interference relationship withsheet material passed adjacent thereto is controlled by an electricalcircuit including a photoelectric sensor responsive to the trailing edgeof sheet material passed into said catch trays.

5. A modular sheet distributor adapted to be utilized in combinationwith like modular sheet distributors to form a larger capacity unitarysheet distributing machine including a plurality of catch trays carriedby a support member in spaced relation to each other,

sheet diverting means carried by the support member,

transport means to move sheet material along a first sheet feed path toa position adjacent said sheet diverting means,

a plurality of diverting mechanisms rotatably supported by said supportmember and positioned adjacent said catch trays to divert sheet materialthereto,

a sheet transport section carried by said support member and positionedadjacent said diverting mechanisms and said catch trays comprising, whenused in cooperation with supplemental sheet guiding means, one portionof a second sheet feed path to forward sheet material from saiddiverting means past said diverting mechanisms into said catch trays,and

a sheet guiding section carried by said. support member on a sideopposite said sheet transport section and positioned on said supportmember to comprise, when used in cooperation with supplemental sheettransport means, one portion of a third sheet feed path.

6. A modular sheet distributor capable of use with like sheetdistributors including a sheet input station for the reception of sheetmaterial from exterior thereof,

a sheet output station for the discharge of sheet material to exteriorthereof,

first sheet transport means to move sheet material along a first sheetfeed path from said input station to said output station,

first sheet diverting means operatively positioned adjacent said firstsheet feed path and also being operatively positioned adjacent a secondsheet feed path,

means to selectively actuate said first sheet diverting means into andout of interference relationship with sheet material moved along saidfirst sheet feed path to thereby selectively permit such moved sheetmaterial to move to said sheet output station or along the second sheetfeed path,

a plurality of catch trays supported in spaced relation to each otheralong the second sheet feed path,

a sheet transport section adjacent said first sheet diverting means andsaid catch trays comprising, when used in cooperation with supplementalsheet guiding means, one portion of the second sheet feed path,

a sheet guiding section on a side of the sheet distributor opposite fromsaid sheet transport section comprising, when used in cooperation withsupplemental sheet transport means, one portion of a third sheet feedpath,

a plurality of second sheet diverting means located adjacent said catchtrays and adjacent the second sheet feed path, and

means to selectively actuate said second sheet diverting means into andout of interference relationship with sheet material moved along thesecond sheet feed path to thereby selectively permit the directing of asheet into one of said catch trays.

7. A sheet distributor as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of saidcatch trays has a second. sheet diverting means in association therewithand further including a supplemental catch tray at the end of the secondsheet feed path remote from said first sheet diverting means to receivesheet material moved along the second sheet feed path which is notdirected by one of said second diverting means into an associated catchtray.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,206,191 9/1965 Hantscho 270-3,273,882 9/1966 Pearson 270-58 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner PAULV. WILLIAMS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 271-64

